Firmware Coming?There has been a lot of questions wondering when Canon will release a firmware update similar to the EOS-1D X that adds the blinking red AF point when in AI servo mode. While I figured they were working on it, I wasn’t quite sure why it hadn’t been brought to market or included with the announced and upcoming firmware update.

This is a direct quote of what I have been told:

They are testing that at the moment but don’t know if it is possible to implement. The former system had a different type of focusing screen and it was easy to handle because it had no reflection in the viewfinder. The new system, with the LCD screen inside the viewfinder is reflecting the red light back and this can affect the light metering system. In the EOS-1D X, the viewfinder box is bigger than in EOS 5D Mark III, which aids in making it possible and workable. In the EOS-1D X they alternate red illumination and metering, and this is why there is the red blinking. With the EOS 5D Mark III, they are testing it but they are not sure if they can make it operate in the same way.

This sounds logical enough, and it’s good to know they are trying to implement it.

Good to have the info, and to know they tried. But it kind of sounds like they are saying "sorry, but no dice."

Anyone else thinks that the April release date for the new firmware was set so far in the future in order for Canon to have time to work out how to go about this problem?

It'd be very nice to have, but it looks like you're right - and the sooner they give up, the better; that way we won't have to wait as long for the f/8 AF and, hopefully, a higher minimum shutter speed with auto-iso.

Logged

Fed up with brandism.

carlc

At least they should try to make the outline of the focus square box (selected AF point) bolder. At the current "very thin lines" it is very hard to find against any back ground but white. I shoot single point most of the time and compared to my 7D the 5DMkIII is a pain in the bippy. A bolder box should not affect metering unless the bolder lines will emit more light the instant it flashes red when focus is confirmed.

At this point I am considering the return of my MkIII and just go back to my 7D. Otherwise it is a wonderful camera body.

If you really can't get the red lights to work with AI Servo, please may you hand us something else as an apology. You can do a survey if you like with current users to find out what they may like, but a couple of suggestions spring to mind...

If you really can't get the red lights to work with AI Servo, please may you hand us something else as an apology.

Don't victimize yourself because you bought a great camera with a few shortcomings that you could - and should! - have known about in advance. You're just saying that you bought the thing on impulse and that you want to blame the consequences on someone else.

If you really can't get the red lights to work with AI Servo, please may you hand us something else as an apology.

Don't victimize yourself because you bought a great camera with a few shortcomings that you could - and should! - have known about in advance. You're just saying that you bought the thing on impulse and that you want to blame the consequences on someone else.

If you really can't get the red lights to work with AI Servo, please may you hand us something else as an apology. You can do a survey if you like with current users to find out what they may like, but a couple of suggestions spring to mind...

Anyone else thinks that the April release date for the new firmware was set so far in the future in order for Canon to have time to work out how to go about this problem?It'd be very nice to have, but it looks like you're right - and the sooner they give up, the better; that way we won't have to wait as long for the f/8 AF and, hopefully, a higher minimum shutter speed with auto-iso.

I cannot understand why they must include all into a single firmware upgrade. They should release whichever feature has been implemented and tested thoroughly. That way, we would get new feautures sooner.

They should release whichever feature has been implemented and tested thoroughly. That way, we would get new feautures sooner.

Agreed. However, a firmware upgrade is often associated with 'repairing' things, so if they put out too many, the camera may, to the uninitiated, come across as unfinished or broken. Also, it's possible to f*** up an upgrade (empty batteries, turning it off halfway through, etc) and Canon will obviously want to limit the number of "their software bricked my camera!"-stories. But still, agreed